Two men missing for ten days have been found dead in a car that had swerved off the road and become hidden by thick undergrowth. William Hutchinson, 31, and Stuart Tallis, 27, were last seen in the early hours of Wednesday, June 24. Lancashire Police released CCTV footage of Hutchinson's blue Peugeot 106 driving along a misty A584 in an appeal to trace the vehicle from Preston.
Discovery of the Vehicle
Specialist search officers located the car shortly after 12pm on July 4, off the westbound carriageway of the A584 Preston New Road, near its junction with the A583 Blackpool Road at Newton with Clifton. The vehicle was hidden from view in dense undergrowth. Both men were found deceased inside. Formal identification is pending, but police believe the bodies are Hutchinson and Tallis.
Investigation and Appeal
Lancashire Police stated: 'We have an extremely sad update to bring you in our search for two men who had separately been reported missing from their homes in Preston.' Hutchinson was last seen at an address on Hull Street in Preston, while Tallis was last seen in the Fishwick View area around 1.30am on June 24. He was reported missing on June 27. Officers believe the Peugeot left the carriageway around 5.30am on June 24.
Police are appealing for witnesses who saw the blue Peugeot 106 on the A584 Preston New Road prior to that time and are asking motorists with dashcam footage to check their recordings. Sergeant Martin Wilcock of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: 'Two men have lost their lives in what appears to be extremely tragic circumstances, and my thoughts are very much with their loved ones at this sad time. I know a number of my colleagues were involved in the searches and I know they were hoping for a happier conclusion.'
The families of the men are being supported by specially-trained officers. The investigation continues to establish the full circumstances of the collision.
